18th Dynasty, reign of Amenophis III, circa 1377 BC. A conical terracotta funerary cone with the remains of a four-line hieroglyphic inscription to the base reading “The Osiris, the royal scribe, fan-bearer on the right of the King, Surero, true of voice” [i.e. deceased]. Theban Tomb 48, west bank at Luxor, Khokha area. Property of a Swedish collector; formerly in the Malte Nilsson collection; acquired 1950s-1960s; thence by descent. Cf. tomb published in Save-Soderbergh, Four Eighteenth Dynasty Tombs, 1957, pp. 33-49. Cone published in de Garis Davies, N. (edited Laming MacAdam, M. F. ), A Corpus of Inscribed Egyptian Funerary Cones, Oxford, 1957, cone no. 477. Amenemhat Surero (Imn-m-hat Swrr) was son of Ithettauy, simple Director of the flocks of Ammon, and Muttauy, 'Royal ornament', i.e., concubine of the King. Thanks to the influence of his mother in the Court, Amenemhat Surero reached important positions and held various civil and religious titles. In addition to Chief Steward, at the head of the King, he was Royal scribe, Flabelifero, head of the House overnight, head of the House of embalming, overseer of the cattle of Amun, inspector of the horns, hooves and feathers, Inspector of the masters of Amon and Prophet of all the Ennead. 410 grams, 94mm (3 3/4").

Fair condition, upper section of cone absent.